Boracay is tropical island located approximately 316 kilometers (about 200 miles) south of Manila and 2 kilometers off the northwest tip of Panay island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Boracay Island is the country's most famous tourist destinations. The island is comprised of the barangays of Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, and Yapak (3 of the 17 barangays which make up the municipality of Malay), and is under the administrative control of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in coordination with the Provincial Government of Aklan.

Travelers from all over the globe come to see the world's most beautiful beach-"White Sands Beach".

The Word "Bor-a-cay" The 3 syllable word Boracay is said to have come from the local word borac, meaning cotton, a reference to the sand's color and texture.

Some Beaches: Diniwid Beach, Punta Bunga Beach, Balinghai Beach, Puka Shell Beach, Ilig Iligan Beach, Lapus Lapus Beach, Bulabog Beach, Lagutan Beach, Tambissan Beach, Manoc Manoc Beach, Cagban Beach, and the famous "White Sands Beach" better know as Boracay Beach.

Geography - Vital Statistics

Boracay is shaped like a dumb-bell, it is 7 kilometers long and the narrowest spot is nearly 1 kilometer wide. Land area is approximately 1, 083 hectares with about 6,000 locals. Geographically speaking, the island is part of the municipality of Malay in the province of Aklan, which is located in Panay, one of a cluster of islands that constitute the central section of the Philippine archipelago.

Yapak is spread out over hilly terrain situated some distance away from the main tourist beat, but the shoreline is dotted with beautiful, non crowded beaches and coves such as Puka Beach and Balinghai Beach. This is also where the only golf course is located which is known as "Fairways and Bluewaters Golf Course". Access to the course is just a mere 3-5 minutes from Main beach located in the central part of the island.

Languages/Dialects

Tagalog (Filipino main language spoken) and other local dialects is the common but English is widely spoken in Boracay. Aklanon is predominantly spoken in Aklan Province (island of Panay), of which Boracay is part (20-30 minutes boat ride of separation). Travelling from Manila to the island resort is not a problem because English is available the whole journey.

Weather and Climate

Amihan and Habagat
Boracay weather is generally divided into two seasonal weather patterns known locally as the Amihan and Habagat seasons. In the Tagalog language, Amihan means a cool northeast wind and Habagat means west or southwest wind; south-west monsoon. Amihan and Habagat seasons are generally associated respectively with the La Niña and El Niño global weather patterns. The Amihan season is characterized by hot temperatures, little or no rainfall, and a prevailing wind from the east. The Habagat season is characterized by cold and hot humid weather, frequent heavy rainfall and typhoons, and a prevailing wind from the west.

Boracay Beach indicators of the switch between the Amihan and Habagat seasonal patterns is the switch in wind direction. In most years this transition is abrupt and occurs overnight. In some years there is a period of perhaps a week or two where the wind will switch between Amihan and Habagat patterns several times before settling into the pattern for the new season. As a general rule of thumb, Boracay will be in the Amihan weather pattern from sometime in September or October to sometime in May or June and in the Habagat weather pattern for the remainder of the year. These dates can vary in individual years, though.

Boracay Temperatures generally range from 77-90º F (25-32º C) from the beginning of the Amihan season into February or March, increase to the 82-100º F(28-38º C) range until the onset of the Habagat season, and moderate back to the 77-90º F (25-32º C) range with the start of the Habagat season.. During Tropical Storm periods, temperatures can fall below 68º F (20º C). Tropical Storms can hit Boracay at any time of year, but are most likely to be seen during the Habagat season.

The seasons can be easily judged by the seasons of the resorts low and high season rates. Amihan would of course be low season rates which fall from June  to Oct. 31 and Habagat would be high season rates which fall between Nov. 1 and may 31. The super peak dates being Dec. 15 to Jan. 15 and Holy Week and Chinese New Year. This Super Peak time is the most expensive time to be on the island. Prices are astronomical for rooms, food, drinks and activities.

 Transportation

By Plane
From Manila’s domestic airport (located 20-40 mins. from international airport depending on traffic), take flights to Boracay either via Kalibo (2 hours + by bus then by boat 20-30 mins. - not a recommended route) or via Caticlan (20 -30 minutes by boat). From Kalibo Airport, air-conditioned vans and buses for hire will take you to the Caticlan Jetty Port in about 2 hours + where boats are stationed to take you to the island. Motorized tricycles will take you from Caticlan airport to the jetty port, 3 minutes away.

TravelOnline uses a private transfer service (door-to-door service) that meets you at the Caticlan Airport or Kalibo Airport and takes you to the boat jetty where you are escorted upon a banka (local boat used for transfers by the locals) then dropped at the new port or at Boat Station 1, 2 or 3. Then a tricycle will take you to the resort where you will be checked in by the transfer service - No headaches! TravelOnline Recommends the Caticlan Route because the flying time to Caticlan is just 35 Mins. on SeAir and 1 hour on Asian Spirit. They both have 10 flights a day plus the other carries making it easy to get a great flight time and if you miss your flight you can just jump on the next flight. Most of all the transfer time to the Boat Jetty is only 3 mins by van as opposed to the 2 hours + by bus from Kalibo to Boat Jetty. Kalibo route and limited flight times cause you to loose 1 day from your trip. Ending your beautiful vacation with a 30 mins boat ride and a 2+ hour bus ride is not the most relaxing scenario.   

Manila to Caticlan:

Asian Spirit Airline
SeAir - South East Asian Airlines
Cebu Pacific Airlines

Manila to Kalibo:

Air Philippines
Asian Spirit Airlines
Cebu Pacific Airlines
Philippine Airlines (PAL)

Cebu to Kalibo:

Asian Spirit Airlines
SeAir - South East Asian Airlines

 By Boat
Several ferries sail between Manila and Caticlan. The journey takes between 14 and 18 Nautical hours.

Ferries from Manila to Caticlan:
MBRS Lines
Negros Navigation
Super Ferry

By Road
Buses and cars run from Manila to the Southern provinces by means of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway. A nautical system conceptualized under the term of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Buses leave from the Philtranco terminal in Cubao and Pasay city throughout the day. The journey by bus takes approx. 12+ hours. (Not counting travel by boat) Caticlan is the 4th port that the highway runs through. Once arriving at the Caticlan Boat Jetty, one can easily find a transfer boat at any price range. Of course the cheaper it is the poorer the conditions and the waiting. If it is your first time, expect the price to be high.

Getting Around the island
On the island, most public transportation is by motorized pedi cab or tricycles as they are called locally. There is a set fee for tricycle rides displayed on a tariff card in every vehicle if you can see it. For foreigners, be careful. Always ask the price first before you ride or you will have an extremely expensive tricycle ride. When picking a tricycle, it is always cheaper to just hop on one passing by than getting into one that is sitting. The tricycles that sit are always more expensive than the ones passing by. (It's a waiting thing which changes the price)  Other means of transportation include mountain bikes, quad bikes and motorbikes, which can be rented. Operation of motorbikes along White Beach and most of the beach’s path is forbidden by law. To explore around the island's coast, rent a paraw (sailboat) or motorized banca. A common sight round the island is the sailing Paraw, a narrow hulled boat with outriggers either side and with passengers sometimes seated on a webbing platform between the outrigger supports. These are extremely fast off the wind, but are rather unwieldy. Going about is a rather complicated maneuver.

“TravelOnline is your one stop local online Philippines travel agency with professional help to all Philippines Travel Destinations”

We can provided:

1. Professional guidance for your Philippines Travel by a competent agent.
2. Easy payment by visa, cash, bank transfer, check and more.
3. Insight, help and support on the resort or hotel that you have chosen.

Travelonline also provides

• Complete packages to all Philippines Destinations.
• Hotline for emergencies that may incur on your vacation.
• Transportation needs via Domestic Airlines, buses, boats and more.
• Free Ticket Delivery anywhere in Metro Manila.
• Special assistance to any group bookings or company outings.